Trump navy parade marking Military’s 250th birthday in Washington, D.C., right this moment

Washington — President Trump is attending a navy parade Saturday night to rejoice the Military’s 250th anniversary festivities as he celebrates his 79th birthday.  

The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Military Grand Army Parade and Celebration, because it’s formally referred to as, will characteristic 1000’s of troopers, an array of tanks and different navy automobiles, and dozens of plane. Authorities anticipated a crowd of 1000’s, if not tons of of 1000’s, to attend. 

“We will have a good time; we’re going to have an incredible celebration,” the president mentioned earlier this week.

The navy parade begins at 6 p.m. ET, and festivities are going down on the Nationwide Mall all through the day. (The parade had been scheduled for six:30 p.m., however organizers moved up the beginning time on Saturday.)

Preparations have been underway all week in Washington, with tanks and different navy gear arriving and fencing going up in components of town across the White Home and Nationwide Mall. 

What is the objective of the navy parade?

Saturday’s occasions are meant to mark the 250th birthday of the Military. The U.S. Military was established on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress just a little over a 12 months earlier than the Declaration of Independence was signed. It was first referred to as the Continental Military, and George Washington was appointed its first commander.

Extra broadly, the president has declared Saturday a celebration of the nation, meant to acknowledge America’s accomplishments each on the battlefield and off it. Mr. Trump has notably touted America’s victories in World Warfare I and World Warfare II. 

“I believe it is time for us to rejoice just a little bit, ,” the president mentioned Wednesday. “We have had a variety of victories. We have received two world wars … I believe it is a time to rejoice our navy.” 

Army gear and troopers, by the numbers

Here is what Military officers say to anticipate to see within the parade:

• About 6,600 troopers
• Six M1A1 Abrams tanks
• Two World Warfare II Sherman tanks
• Eight CH-47 helicopters
• 16 UH-60 Black Hawks
• 4 WWII-era P-51 plane 

Protests held on Saturday 

Protesters are exhibiting their opposition to the navy parade and to Mr. Trump himself in cities throughout the nation. 

Labor unions and liberal activists aimed to counter-program the day’s festivities with “No Kings” rallies to protest what they see as Mr. Trump’s overreach in his function as chief government. 

The organizers weren’t planning main demonstrations in D.C., though some protesters did congregate throughout from the White Home.

“As a substitute of permitting this birthday parade to be the middle of gravity, we are going to make motion all over the place else the story of America that day: folks coming collectively in communities throughout the nation to reject strongman politics and corruption,” they mentioned on their web site. “For that motive, NO KINGS just isn’t internet hosting an occasion in Washington, D.C.”

Political backlash to the president’s navy parade 

The president’s parade plans have been criticized for each the associated fee and the optics. Because the administration and the Division of Authorities Effectivity have been touting their efforts to get rid of waste, the parade and festivities to rejoice an armed providers department anniversary are estimated by the Military to price between $25 million and $45 million. 

“Trump is throwing himself a $30 million birthday parade simply to stroke his personal ego,” Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who misplaced each of her legs in Iraq, mentioned on X final week. 

Some assume navy parades are evocative of authoritarian regimes. “By no means been a giant fan of goose-stepping troopers and large tanks and missiles rolling down the road,” Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky advised reporters this week. “So, in the event you ask me, I would not have achieved it.” 

“We had been at all times completely different than the pictures you noticed of the Soviet Union and North Korea,” Paul added. “We had been proud to not be that. And I do not — I am not proposing that that is the picture folks wish to undertaking, however I am anxious in regards to the picture that it’s not essentially one of the best picture to indicate.”

Democrats have additionally criticized the president for warning folks towards collaborating in protests towards the parade. 

“If there’s any protesters that wish to come out, they’ll be met with very massive drive,” the president advised reporters within the Oval Workplace on Tuesday. 

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware referred to as the president’s message an “authoritarian tactic.” 

“He wasn’t speaking about individuals who had been engaged in violence,” Murphy mentioned of Mr. Trump’s remarks in an interview with podcaster Joe Gallina. “He wasn’t speaking about individuals who had been doing property harm in D.C. He simply mentioned anyone who comes out to protest my navy parade goes to be handled roughly. That is an authoritarian tactic.” 

White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt, nevertheless, advised reporters Wednesday that “the president completely helps peaceable protests.” 

“He helps the First Modification. He helps the fitting of Individuals to make their voices heard,” she continued. “He doesn’t assist violence of any variety. He doesn’t assist assaulting legislation enforcement officers who’re merely making an attempt to do their job.”

What’s the schedule? 

8:15 a.m. – Wreath laying at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Health competitors and awards ceremony on the Nationwide Mall

11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Military Birthday Pageant on the Nationwide Mall

6 p.m.-7 p.m. – U.S. Military 250th Birthday Parade

9:45 p.m. – Fireworks on the Nationwide Mall

Here is the parade route 

The parade route runs alongside Structure Avenue in Washington, D.C., parallel to the Nationwide Mall. It kicks off at twenty third Road NW, close to the Lincoln Memorial, earlier than continuing alongside the Mall previous the White Home and the Washington Monument. It concludes at fifteenth Road NW. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and may run for about an hour.

The parade and different festivities imply site visitors will likely be shut down or restricted in giant swaths of downtown Washington. Guests are inspired to take public transit or stroll, quite than drive. 

How you can watch the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Military Grand Army Parade

• What: Army parade marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Military
• Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• Location: Washington, D.C. 
• On-line stream: Stay on CBS Information 24/7 within the participant above and in your cellular or streaming machine.

Observe: Streaming plans are topic to alter 

Eleanor Watson

contributed to this report.